Legal insights and updates from Bussey Ainsworth
Most Ontario sellers see part of their proceeds sit in trust for weeks after closing. Barry Bussey explains the mortgage discharge holdback, the other reasons your lawyer holds funds, and when you can expect the rest.
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Most Ontario buyers expect keys at noon. Most do not get them then. Barry Bussey walks through the real timeline, why noon is a myth, and what to do if five o'clock arrives and you are still waiting.
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Almost every week, a client arrives with their adult children. Barry Bussey explains why family cannot sit in on a will or power of attorney meeting, and why a beneficiary must never witness the signing.
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Probate is how an Ontario court confirms your will is valid and appoints your executor. Barry Bussey explains the Estate Administration Tax, the Certificate of Appointment, how long it takes, and when you can avoid it.
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Your will doesn't control your RRSP, TFSA, or life insurance. Those assets pass through beneficiary designations, and getting them wrong can undo your entire estate plan.
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From accepted offer to keys in hand, an Ontario real estate closing can take shorter or longer than most buyers expect. Barry Bussey walks through the realistic timeline, and what can speed it up or slow it down.
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Your final walkthrough is the last chance to catch problems before keys change hands. Barry Bussey walks through what Peterborough buyers should check, and what to do if something is wrong.
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When something has gone wrong and you are not sure whether the law can help, civil law is often the answer. Barry Bussey explains how it works in Ontario, the cases he handles, and when to call a civil litigation lawyer.
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Learn how no-contest clauses work in Ontario wills, when they are enforceable, and what you need to know to draft one properly.
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ONCA applies to churches, mosques, synagogues, and faith-based charities in Ontario. Barry Bussey explains the unique governance challenges religious organisations face.
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A Peterborough wills lawyer walks you through the process of making a will in Ontario. The legal requirements, the steps involved, what it costs, and the mistakes to avoid.
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On closing day in Ontario, ownership transfers, mortgage funds release, and you get the keys by mid-to-late afternoon. An Ontario lawyer explains what to expect.
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A Kawarthas cottage purchase comes with legal wrinkles that a typical city home transaction does not. Barry Bussey covers access, title, septic, shoreline rules, and cottage succession planning.
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Most people know they should have a will. Fewer actually have one. Barry Bussey explains the essentials of estate planning in Ontario, including wills, powers of attorney, and the mistakes worth avoiding.
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As of April 1, 2026, registered charities will no longer be able to submit documents to the CRA by fax. Here is what you need to do to make the switch to online services.
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ONCA's transition deadline passed in October 2024. If your nonprofit hasn't updated its governing documents, Barry Bussey explains what needs to happen, and why it's simpler than boards think.
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When a will cuts out grandchildren who had nothing to do with a family dispute, courts notice. Barry Bussey explains what the Shannon v. Hrabovsky decision means for will challenges in Ontario.
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Your will only matters after you're gone. A power of attorney matters while you're still alive. Here's what you need to know about both types.
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Barry Bussey explains how he approaches civil litigation in Peterborough: the kinds of cases he takes, how he works with clients, and what to expect.
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Spring in Peterborough means open houses and bidding wars. After decades of helping people buy homes, here's our checklist of the legal steps involved, in roughly the order you'll encounter them.
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Most people assume their spouse or children will simply 'get everything' if they die without a will. In Ontario, that's not how it works. The Succession Law Reform Act takes over, and the results may surprise you.
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Family Day is for skating, dinners, and catching up with the people who matter most. It’s also one of the best times of the year to have a conversation about your will.
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The independence of judges to apply their wisdom and training is a foundational concept in a free and democratic society. We give the judiciary latitude to make decisions based on the truth of things as they see it.
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